Getting Married? Then This Is The Wedding Checklist You Need!!

To those who have just got engaged then a huge congratulations to you all!! To all those who are in the early stages of planning and organising a wedding, you may be finding it is a bit of a mad time trying to get your head around the fact you have whole wedding to plan - fear not!! To get you thinking here is the ultimate starter checklist of items you need to consider when planning your wedding!!

It is not a complete and detailed list it is just the things that you need to start thinking about and deciding if you do or don't want them as part of your wedding day. Yes there is a lot in it but it's just a guideline to help you on your way to what will be a very special, personal and fabulous wedding day!! We hope it is helpful........

• What time of the year and what day do you want to get married?
• What type of wedding do you want?
• Decide on a reasonable and realistic budget - yes we said reasonable and realistic!
• Pick your wedding party - think about this, they all need to get on and be able to put you first!
• Do a rough guest list so you have an idea of how many guests when you go venue shopping!
• Visit venues and book your venue as soon as you can places book up fast!
• Book your Celebrant, Officiant or Church - these are also in huge demand and book out quickly!
• Book your ceremony venue soon if it does not come with the venue.
• Music for the ceremony and wedding reception - you can have any type anywhere!
• Florist - the good ones are gone fast!.
• Photographer - again do as soon as you can the best book out quickly!
• Videographer - special memories recorded!
• Caterers if needed.
• Entertainment - Ah sure why not!
• Make-up - an absolute for all the bridal party and a lovely treat to have some one do it for you!!
• Hair - another absolute!
• Cake - so many options!
• Rings - can't get married without them!
• At least 3 month notification of intention to marry to the Registrar - no getting married without it! 
•  Wedding transport - if needed, don't walk especially not in those heels!
• The Dress and the bridal party dresses - this is where the fun starts!! Oh and the shoes!!!
• The Grooms and Groomsmen attire - not so much fun!
•  The Honeymoon - this is the all essential, make sure you treat yourselves!!

Our advice yes planning carefully and fully is so important but even important is that you have fun and enjoy this special time. Do what you want not what others expect or want - don't let them wreck your head!!

Happy Planning Everyone!!

Melanie + Isobel   xxxx

Need Some Lighting For Your Wedding? Then Check This Out.....

Every wedding needs some magical lighting!! It sets a positive mood, creates a romantic and relaxed atmosphere and if planned right will encourage the party to last all night.....

Lighting can come in many and various ways including candles, t-lights and electrical lighting. It's what you use and how you use it that will create the desired effect. Our advice is use plenty of secondary lighting like candles, festoon lighting, fairy lights and lamps and use as little as possible of the main lighting like ceiling lights and strong electrical lights. 

The next thing to think about is planning your lighting, making sure you have thought of all areas, have enough lighting to make it safe and comfortable to move around and have plenty of replacements to relight for the night time turnaround after dinner. It may take a little time and effort to source and buy all you need but it is so worth it!! It really is magical..... 

Here are some of our props we use for lighting and some of the weddings we have included them in! Please feel free to drop us an email or phone us if you would like some free advice on how to add lighting to your special day or if you are interested in hiring some of our lighting props!! If you would like to see the full collection of props click here

Now Here Is A Real Wedding Definitely Worth A Look!!

Last October we worked with a very special couple on their stunning wedding in Powerscourt House  in County Wicklow. We worked mainly on the drinks reception area which was a beautiful but bare stone walled rectangle room.The aim was to add some personal touches and some style features and to break up the room in to zones so that it did not feel like a long empty room for the guests.  

So after some thinking and some creative decisions with the couple, we came up with a great style concept and workable floor plan. The style plan was elegant rustic with natural textures and props and the colour theme was green and white. On the wedding day the room felt welcoming, comfortable and elegant. It matched in with the other main reception room while still retaining it's own relaxed personality!

Here are some photos from the day, to see the full collection just click here - we hope you get some great ideas and inspiration!!

Photographer - Kevin Curry Photography | Props + Styling - The Wedding Festival | Cake -  Cove Cake Designs   |  Informal Flowers - The Wedding Festival

Wedding Props? Wedding Styling? Here's Some Inspiration...

If you, like a lot of couples at the moment, are in the middle of organinsing your wedding you may have found yourself a bit stuck when it comes to how to decorate your venue and where to get the props in which to do so.     

Some people like to buy props but the cheapest and easiest option is always to hire. When you hire props you have a lot more options available to you and you can hire things that you could never afford or never be able to buy. Basically, the sky is the limit when it comes to hiring props for your wedding. Our advice - have fun and just go for it!!

At The Wedding Festival we have a large and varied collection of props to hire that includes the necessary, the interesting and the ‘Oh I just have to have that!’ kind of props.

Our collection includes wedding essentials, party products, eclectic props, décor hire, handcrafted items and much more. We also offer a bespoke prop hire service where we can make or source a specific prop for you for your wedding. 

Our prop selection promises to inspire and excite and provide those finishing touches that bring an event to life. To have a look at our full collection just press this magical button!!

Here are some of our favourite props to help inspire you...

Prop Photos Taken by Nuria Canestro, Momento Photogrpahic Studio

Main Cover Photo Taken by Elaine Barker Photography

Now That's An Interesting Question?

Anyone wondering what we did to this wall for a couple who got married this New Year's Eve? 

Check out the photos below for some (not so good quality we have to highlight - the joys of mobile phone camers!!) images of how we turned a plain white wall in to a fabulous and eye catching feature!!

The couple got married in the Morisson Hotel this New Years Eve. They wanted to add some interest to the lower area of the reception room and after dinner to add some wow factor to the dance floor space. A light installation for the wall was decided as the best decor feature for the couple and they loved the idea! 

So with our festoon lights and LED lights from our prop studio we built the wall of lights, twinkles and magic......!!

Congratulations to our couple, Lauren + Brendan and many, many, many happy new years to you both!

Some Simple Props And Some Simple Styling Touches and... Voila!!

If you are like most couples who just want something simple but stylish for your wedding decor then have a look at these inspirational photos for some styling ideas that could make all the difference!!

Last weekend we had the privilege of styling a wedding in , Bellinter House  in County Meath. A fabulous couple, a stunning venue and some simple Ikea props! What to do?

The Bride got in contact with us from Australia a few weeks before the wedding concerned about how she was going to get the look she wanted for the reception room with the props she had. She was also worried about how she was going to set up the room and get everything done the morning of her wedding. The solution was to get help to achieve both these things and not have this extra stress on herself and family members on the days before and the day of the wedding - basically hand it over to the us!!

With a very small budget and a few hours of styling, we pulled together a simple but stylish look for the couple by mixing some of our props with the items she had bought in Ikea. We added lots of candle light and a fun and interactive photobooth station and guest signing table - it worked fantastically!! Our message is that it can be done with no stress and with little cost to the couple.

Now some inspirational photos......

Cake by The Kupcakery

There Is A New + Rather Exciting Wedding Venue In Town!!

Yes you read it right, we have just been to visit a new + exciting wedding venue.....

We recently went to take a look at a new wedding venue called The Grocery  

The Grocery is situated in the center of the picturesque town of Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath. It is a family run business and comprises of a host of buildings and amenities including a Bar, Lounge, small grocery shop + cafe, accommodation, outbuildings, large garden, courtyard, The Barn and Orangery.

It is a listed building seeped in history and charm. It was built by Jane Countess of Belevedere in the mid 1800s and retains many of the original and quirky features.

Weddings are held off the main street at the back of the grocery and cafe. There is a separate entrance where you find hidden away, the most beautiful courtyard, outbuildings, Barn, large landscaped garden and Orangery at your disposal. The space can have up to 120 people, it is very flexible and can hold ceremonies, drinks reception, main reception and music and dancing, how you use the space is up to you.

Both the barn and orangery come with a full licence bar, wood burning stoves and lounge areas. There is also a full catering kitchen, they have an on-site caterer but you can also bring your own caterer if that is your preferred choice. 

What is unique about The Grocery is that it has been lovingly and painstakingly restored by its owner. Both the accommodation and buildings are full of character, comfort and impressive details. It oozes old world charm while still having all the modern comfort and up to date facilities you require.

We loved everything about this venue! We were very impressed with the restoration details, fun and quirky atmosphere and the overall flexibility of the space. It is well worth consideration, if you are looking for a venue with a difference, then a visit to The Grocery will not disappoint!!

Here are some photos to give you a sneak peak of all it has to offer...

The Barn + Orangery 

Outbuildings + Garden

Accommodation